RUNNING
PARKRUN JUNIOR 2K
Alexander Eason was the sole BRJ’er in 2K action with a return to Jubilee Park.
PARKRUN 5K
Yet again, there were a significant number of Parkrun cancellations. However, I noted that at Storeys Field a former BRJ Junior member, Liam Conway now aged just 16 & competing for Cambridge & Coleridge (C&C), secured the 4th fastest 5K time across the UK (00:15:10). By comparison, the 5K record for a BRJ Senior Man is 00:15:18 set by David Hudson. During Liam’s tenure as a BRJ’er he demonstrated a talent for Running & Tri events & achieved Champion Boy status in the 2017 & 2018’s Junior Running & Triathlon Champs. His 2018 2K time of 00:06:43 remains unbeaten. Liam is not the only BRJ Junior that was nurtured by our coaching team to go on to achieve impressive performances. These include Ellie Loosley, now also with C&C & Hunts AC members James Orrell & Dominic Pauley.
BRJ’ers returned to Corby, Haga (nr Stockholm, Sweden), Hove Promenade (Course PB for Alan Hannibal), March, Newark, Rushmere, Rutland Water, Sandringham, Stevenage, Storeys Field & Swafham. At Irchester Country, there were Course PB’s for Anna Best, Clive Best, Jim Greenley & Kerry Surkitt. Jim also completed Parkrun #225.
Michael Shaw, finishing in 8th position, made the only BRJ Parkrun Venue Debut this week at Silloth (nr Carlisle).
London Winter Run 10K
This London based closed roads route passed landmarks such as Houses of Parliament, St Paul’s Cathedral, The Gherkin & Trafalgar Square. 4 BRJ’ers were among the 17,814 finishers with Adam D’Souza making his Club 10K Debut & achieving a negative split for the final 5K. The squads finish stats were:
NAME FINISH TIME POSITION INFO
Adam D’Souza 00:45:35 1,462 Debut Club 10K
Richard Stevens 00:57:36 7,097
Kevin Ryan 00:57:37 7,101
Emma Stevens 1:25:53 16,988
Brighton 1/2 Marathon
Paul Mitton in the final stages of training for April’s Brighton Marathon, was among the 8,255 finishers in the 34th edition of the event. Despite the blue sky, the temperature was chilly with a strong wind that turned into a headwind over the final 5K. The route passed iconic landmarks such as the Aquarium, Grand Hotel, the Pier & the Royal Pavilion.
Paul’s son Alex, also participated finishing in position 172 in a time of 1:23:21 which represented a new Club Distance PB by a 4 Min 26 Sec margin compared to March 2022’s Cambridge Half (1:27:47). Paul finished in 378th in 1:29:21. Paul’s next event in his training schedule is the Oakley 20M. .
Tarpley 20M
Melanie Wiffin was among the 336 participants to successfully complete this undulating course. Melanie finished in position 286 in a time of 3:20:30.
ATW Bedford 10K & 1/2 Marathon
The extensive flooding of the River Great Ouse meant both races were cancelled. The races have been re-scheduled to 1 April 2024. Online entries have re-opened..